British Farmer's Magazine

think they will realise our "fond hopes."-FELTON: The late high winds have blown down the poles in exposed situations; but upon the whole the hops are progressing very well. In some grounds good crops are likely to be gathered whilst a considerable extent is light.-HOLMER: There is here every prospect of growing an average crop free from blight and of fine quality, yet some of the hop yards are short of bine, and come out very irregularly. We shall commence picking in about nine days to a fortnight.-KINGSLAND: The hops in this neighbourhood are progressing favourably. There is every reason to be satisfied with their growth at present. LEDBURY: The hops have had a good week, and are looking

well, and are on all lands come out well into hop. The accounts are generally in this district most satisfactory.-PEMBRIDGE: The burr is fast turning into hop. The tops of the poles are thickly loaded, but not so many branches as was at one time expected. Picking must be late this year.--TENBURY: The hops are looking very well, and there is every prospect of a better crop than we have had for some years in this district.-WORCESTER. --NEW HOPS.-The first bale of Bavarian hops of this year's growth has been purchased by Messrs. Percy, Longbottom, and Faram, hop merchants, Worcester, for Mr. J. W. Crosby, West Derby Brewery, Liverpool.-Hereford Times.

The month of August has proved thoroughly summerlike in its temperature, with occasional storms and showers, more especially at the commencement and close, on the whole rather beneficial than otherwise, excepting, however, the unusually heavy rains that commenced in London on the 24th, accompanied with much lightning, which weather we find reached to a wide extent. Those, therefore, who had made their stacks without thatching them will, in many cases, find it to their cost, as the condition of such corn will probably not be recovered till spring. This rain, too, has led to frequent hurrying off the sheaves in a damp state, which will produce a greater variety in the condition, which previously was fine. As we are now in the midst of harvest it is too early to determine the general yield, but we have received many unfavourable accounts, resulting in a general disappointment. Where many expected from the appearance of the standing corn there would be 4 quarters to the acre the output has proved only 2 4-8ths, and some fields of welltilled strong land have not exceeded 2 quarters. The injury apparently arose from a general blight at the time of bloom, not at all suspected. We must, therefore, give up the hope of an average produce, and when we find the neighbouring country, France, has suffered still more, especially in the northern provinces, such extra demands on the corn-producing countries will prove heavy enough, we fear, to make it doubtful whether they will be readily supplied without an important advance on rates before the gathering of 1874. Had it not been for America and Australia our stocks this season were so short that there would probably have been a rise of about 10s., and as no other countries but these give promise of any extra quantities, and the crop of rye on the Continent of Europe is singularly short, the world's produce is likely to be gradually and wholly absorbed by its wants. In Paris the advance from the lowest has been 9s. on wheat and on flour 10s. per sack. Partial failures in Hungary and Russia this year will much reduce their power of export. Germany is considered to have little surplus, Spain not much, Italy is decidedly deficient, and the last reports from California show a rise of 8s., say from 56s. to 64s. through the French demand, and a belief that the yield has been over-estimated, so that farmers have become more reserved in sales. Australia has still a good store left, which will not fail to come on from the prices made here, the best having advanced from 60s. to 66s. per qr., and readily finding good markets, not only in France, but Belgium and Holland, both of which countries will continue importers. There is, therefore, no likelihood of a low range of prices through any part of the season, especially when we add to other considerations the fact that population all over Europe is rapidly progressing. The following rates were recently quoted at the several places named: Paris quotes 73s, for white,

CORN TRADE

PAST MONTH.

70s. for red wheat; Marseilles, 68s. for Berdianski; Bordeaux white, 65s. 6d. ; Brussels red, 71s.; Antwerp, 69s.; Liege, 70s.; Amsterdam, 663. to 68s.; Hambro', 62s. to 70s.; Zurich, 70s. to 75s.; Cologne, 59s. to 64s.; Berlin, 59s.; Pesth, 62s.; Danzig, 72s. cost, freight, and insurance; Algiers soft, 59s. free on board; white at San Franciso, 64s. cost, freight, and insurance; red at Petersburg, 55s.; New York red, No. 1 spring wheat 49s. per 480lbs. free on board.

Monday being a holiday, we commence with the first Wednesday as the opening market. The wheat trade then began on the back of very small English supplies, but the foreign arrivals were heavy, with a further large increase for half the week. The weather still being fine, the attendance was thin; but the small show of English kept up its value. With such liberal offers of foreign, there was not an equal demand, and though granary parcels were held at the previous rates, to sell freely ex ship it was necessary to make some concession in red qualities. White sorts, however, were wanted for France at full prices, and the abolition of special duties on English shipping caused many cargoes to be sent on. Prices in the country were generally maintained notwithstanding the brilliant weather, and Liverpool gained 1d. to 2d. per cental during the week. Edinburgh was 1s. to 2s. per qr. dearer, but Glasgow only noted more firmness. Dublin was dull both for native and foreign qualities, without quotable change of prices.

The second Monday opened on a very small quantity of homegrown wheat, but there was an increase on the former week's heavy arrivals of foreign, more than half being from America. There was again a very small show of English wheat, chiefly new, of good quality, weighing 624lbs. to 64lbs. per bushel, and occasionally more. For the best 68s. was demanded, but millers generally preferred waiting for the chances of the next week, as holders were not inclined to give way. The little old on show was quite as dear. Red foreign about maintained the previous rates, but white sorts, especially Californian and Australian, which had been selling relatively cheap, were fully 1s. per qr. dearer, with a good demand. Cargoes off the coast were held somewhat higher. Though there were occasional showers this week through the country, the weather was generally fine enough for the cutting of wheat, and markets were as yet too shortly supplied to exceed the ordinary demand; prices therefore nowhere gave way, and, indeed, at some places, as at Stockton and Dorchester, they were 1s. to 2s. higher. Liverpool improved also 3d. to 4d. per cental on the week, or 1s. 3d. to 1s. 8d. per qr. At Leith, values increased 2s. per qr., and Edinburgh 1s. to 2s. Glasgow also was 1s. to 1s. 6d. per boll higher. Foreign wheat at Dublin was held at 6d. to 1s. per barrel more money, but in Irish sorts there was no change.

On the third Monday the English arrivals were again small, and the foreign very abundant. No old wheat was then exhibited on the Essex and Kentish stands, and very little new, from the higher prices paid in the country, but the sales made were at full prices. The foreign trade was greatly stimulated by the French demand, 1s. to 2s. more being paid on red sorts, and 2s. to 3s. on fine Australian and Californian white. The same improvement was noted on floating cargoes, with much business done. This week the weather was broken, being wet for the first three days, and prices were therefore everywhere maintained, with an advance of 1s. paid at Sleaford, Louth, Gloucester, Norwich, Peterborough, and Worcester, and ls. to 2s. more at Gainsborough, Barnsley, and Rochester. Liverpool was 5d. dearer for the week. Glasgow quoted 1s. more, but Edinburgh was dull. Dublin was firm for native wheat, and 6d. per barrel dearer for foreign.

On the fourth Monday the supply of English wheat was small, and that from abroad by much the largest, since harvest, being 105,522 qrs., one-third from Australia, and still more from America, with a fair quantity from Russia. The show on the Essex and Kentish stands was very limited, and nearly all new of good quality, and a few sales were made early at great prices for malting, and still more for seed, 72s. being paid for fine red, but with such an immense foreign arrival millers were careless buyers, and even the previous Monday's rates were not briskly made. The French demand kept up the value of foreign, notwithstanding the unusual supply, and red sorts were 1s. higher than on the previous Monday, and in some instances fine Australian white also.

The imports into London for four weeks were 9,462 qrs. English, 246,624 qrs. foreign, against 8,589 qrs. English, 164,588 qrs. foreign for the same time last year. The London exports were 11,594 qrs. wheat, 8,407 cwts. flour. The London averages commenced at 57s. 5d. and closed at 58s. 3d. The imports into the kingdom for the week ending August 16 were 3,829,380 cwts. wheat, 320,080 cwts. flour, against 3,502,345 cwts. wheat, 272,254 cwts. flour for the same time last year. The general averages commenced at 60s. 1d., and closed at 60s. 3d.

The supplies of country flour during the month have been moderate, but there was a large increase of foreign, chiefly in sacks. With the firmness in wheat rates have advanced about 2s. per sack, say on the last two Mondays about 1s. each, the best country marks being worth 44s., and occasionally more has been obtained, but the final market was less active than some previous. The best barrels were worth fully 32s., and anything very extra was held rather higher. The sack flour of the last week was chiefly from Adelaide, and very good. There has been a talk about raising the top price of town-made, but it was not thought desirable till the wheat trade had more shaped its course. The London imports in four weeks were 49,285 sacks English, and 21,543 sacks 48,430 barrels foreign, against 60,805 sacks English, and 18,028 sacks 21,326 barrels foreign for the same time last year.

Of maize the supply has been fair, and quite equal to the demand; but prices have gained somewhat on the recent depression, say 1s. to 1s. 6d. per qr., as in Italy, through drought, they have risen to 33s., and in Hungary the crop till lately was threatened from the same cause: white is worth ¡31s. to 32s., yellow 28s. to 30s. per qr. This grain being still relatively cheap, we think may yet incerease in value. The imports for the month were 61,366 qrs., against 21,326 qrs. in 1872.

Scarcely any English Barley has come to market, and the little new that has yet appeared has varied in quality, though a parcel of fine from Reading brought 47s.; but

enough has not yet come to hand to settle values, which, for fine qualities, though the crop is well reported, we think will rule high. Grinding foreign, from its scarcity, has risen 1s. per qr. during the month, but the price of maize is against much advance. The imports into London have been 214 qrs. English, 825 qrs. Irish, and 26,924 qrs. foreign, against 225 qrs. English, and 18,094 qrs. foreign for the same period in 1872.

The malt trade has been dull for low sorts through the month; but there has been a steady demand for fine at full rates. The month's exports were 3,740 grs. Of foreign oats every week we have had very large supplies; the first was the heaviest, when values gave way 6d. per qr., but for two successive markets there was an equal improvement, leaving the gain from 6d. to 9d. for Russian sorts, and 1s. to 1s. 6d. for Dutch Polands. Sweet Russian 38lbs. are worth 22s. 6d., 40lbs. 24s. 6d. to 25s., but Polands, from scarcity, are worth from 26s. to 30s. for comparatively light weights. The imports into London for four weeks were 1,098 qrs. homegrown, 98 qrs. Irish, 290,954 qrs. foreign, against 439 qrs. Euglish, 203,630 qrs. foreign for the same period in 1872. Our granaries being very empty large imports will still be wanted of old oats for some time, and any falling-off would send them up again. Our own crop does not appear above an average, but we never grow near enough for our consumption.

It has not been the time of year when beans are in much request, and the short English supplies have so far just suited the trade, Mazagans and ticks being worth 37s. to 38s., and Egyptian 38s. to 39s., Sicilian 40s. The imports into London during the month were 1,218 qrs. English, 4,622 qrs. foreign, against 1,270 qrs. English, 7,776 qrs. foreign for the same period in 1872. This crop is reported by some as the best of the season.

The pea trade, too, has been at its lowest. Some new maples have appeared of fine quality, for which 45s. was demanded, and duns, of good weight, were worth 37s. to 38s. The quantity, however, of either has not been enough to settle prices. The yield hitherto is said to be productive; we expect moderate prices will set in. Old white Montreal boilers are worth about 40s. per qr. The imports into London in four weeks were 1,027 qrs. English and 7,839 qrs. foreign, against 840 qrs. English and 2,673 qrs. foreign, in 1872.

The linseed supply has been about the same as last month, but rather less. The trade at this time of year is at the lowest, and crushers in the North have found it attended with heavy losses. But the imports for a long time have been on so limited a scale, that there was no opportunity to lower rates sufficiently to make busi ness safe, as 63s. is still paid for fine seed. The demand for cake has been limited, and prices too high for cattle feeding, excepting for on a small scale. The quantity arrived this month in London, was 37,067 qrs., against 22,003 qrs., 1872.

In cloverseed almost nothing has passed, the only stock on hand consisting of old foreign, always difficult to sell, except in lively times. Opinions differ as to the crop on the ground, but it has always been held that a hot August is in favour of seed, both as to quality and quantity. With the rain lately fallen more has been doing in trifolium incarnatum, at higher rates.

COMPARATIVE AVERAGES.